New Delhi: India’s newly-crowned Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra revealed he knew that he was in medal contention after his second attempt of 87.58m during the Tokyo Olympics men’s javelin finals on Saturday.
“I knew I had done something special, actually I thought I had achieved my personal best. The throw had gone really well,” Chopra said at a felicitation ceremony organised by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur upon his return to India on Monday. Chopra’s personal best is 88.07m he achieved earlier this year.
Chopra, along with the other Indian medalists, including the bronze medal-winning men’s hockey team, returned home on Monday amidst a rousing welcome. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the entire Indian contingent on August 15.
BREAKING
This is not mine, but the entire nation's medal: Gold Medalist @Neeraj_chopra1 honoured upon his arrival back home pic.twitter.com/2qBxHtjTlG
— DD News (@DDNewslive) August 9, 2021
“The next day my body felt how special it was with all the pain but it was worth it,” he said. “This medal is for the entire country.” Competing in a field that comprised of World No.1 and former world champion Johannes Vetter, Neeraj never looked in pressure during the finals.
In a message to the country’s sportspersons, the 23-year-old urged them not fear anyone on the field. “I just want to say, no matter who the opposition is, give your best. That is all you need to do and this is what this gold medal stands for. Never fear the opposition,” he said.
After Abhinav Bindra took shooting gold in 2008, Neeraj became the first in 13 years to bring home Olympic gold and also the first track and field athlete to achieve the feat. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya claimed silver.
The bronze medals went to boxer Lovlina Borgohain, shuttler PV Sindhu, the men’s hockey team and wrestler Bajrang Punia.
